NBA Trade Thread #12

[StephenAA]

With a trash FA class, the trade market this offseason is going to be nuts.

I expect Giannis, Ja, Zion, and Durant to be on the move at minimum. A great opportunity presents itself for the Bulls to get in the mix and trade for a star player.

This is it. We know tanking is not an option and we have the pieces to pull something off. Everyone and all draft capital should be available. We have the cap flexibility. A deal headlined by Coby or Matas should be attractive to any team.

This is AK’s chance to turn this **** around

It's a shame that AK never did anything to acquire future assets to work with.

Yeah, it’s cute dreaming up the Bulls scenario, but fact is there are many teams who have way more picks than us, have a better team, and have enough salaries/talent to make the trade and not ruin their main rotation. Spurs, Thunder and Rockets, without even giving it a second of thought. To make matters worse, there’s a strong chance all 3 of these teams have better picks than us in this summer’s draft.

I think this Dame injury sucks for whatever long-shot chance I thought Chicago had (of getting Greek Freak). If Bucks held onto relevance, Giannis might’ve made it to unrestricted free agency, but I don’t see them standing pat for 2y with Dame good as done. Their window is shut. So if they begin the bidding, the only remote chance Chicago has of making a deal is AK agreeing to mortgage a decade of unprotected picks, Bucks knowing that AK’s gonna F it all up and give Milwaukee a fat pension package.

*
I think we're forgetting one very important point: Giannis has some 'say' in to where he goes! Not completely, but some!
You just don't trade a superstar anywhere just to get what you want. How you treat Giannis matters! I just don't think SA and OKC are legit options for Giannis. Houston maybe. I think Chicago is very much in play!

Also, what if Jokic loses in the first round. It doesn't look too good for Denver either. Again, I believe Chicago would be in play.

BTW, who would you rather have: Giannis or Jokic?

AA

[Dan Z]

It's a shame that AK never did anything to acquire future assets to work with.

Yeah, it’s cute dreaming up the Bulls scenario, but fact is there are many teams who have way more picks than us, have a better team, and have enough salaries/talent to make the trade and not ruin their main rotation. Spurs, Thunder and Rockets, without even giving it a second of thought. To make matters worse, there’s a strong chance all 3 of these teams have better picks than us in this summer’s draft.

I think this Dame injury sucks for whatever long-shot chance I thought Chicago had (of getting Greek Freak). If Bucks held onto relevance, Giannis might’ve made it to unrestricted free agency, but I don’t see them standing pat for 2y with Dame good as done. Their window is shut. So if they begin the bidding, the only remote chance Chicago has of making a deal is AK agreeing to mortgage a decade of unprotected picks, Bucks knowing that AK’s gonna F it all up and give Milwaukee a fat pension package.

*
I think we're forgetting one very important point: Giannis has some 'say' in to where he goes! Not completely, but some!
You just don't trade a superstar anywhere just to get what you want. How you treat Giannis matters! I just don't think SA and OKC are legit options for Giannis. Houston maybe. I think Chicago is very much in play!

Also, what if Jokic loses in the first round. It doesn't look too good for Denver either. Again, I believe Chicago would be in play.

BTW, who would you rather have: Giannis or Jokic?

AA

I'd rather have Jokic.

I remember when Damian Lillard wanted to go to Miami, but ended up in Milwaukee. Donovan Mitchell wanted to go to NY and ended up in Cleveland.

I'm sure Giannis will have some say, but it doesn't mean he'll necessarily go where he wants to.

[MrSparkle]

It's a shame that AK never did anything to acquire future assets to work with.

Yeah, it’s cute dreaming up the Bulls scenario, but fact is there are many teams who have way more picks than us, have a better team, and have enough salaries/talent to make the trade and not ruin their main rotation. Spurs, Thunder and Rockets, without even giving it a second of thought. To make matters worse, there’s a strong chance all 3 of these teams have better picks than us in this summer’s draft.

I think this Dame injury sucks for whatever long-shot chance I thought Chicago had (of getting Greek Freak). If Bucks held onto relevance, Giannis might’ve made it to unrestricted free agency, but I don’t see them standing pat for 2y with Dame good as done. Their window is shut. So if they begin the bidding, the only remote chance Chicago has of making a deal is AK agreeing to mortgage a decade of unprotected picks, Bucks knowing that AK’s gonna F it all up and give Milwaukee a fat pension package.

*
I think we're forgetting one very important point: Giannis has some 'say' in to where he goes! Not completely, but some!
You just don't trade a superstar anywhere just to get what you want. How you treat Giannis matters! I just don't think SA and OKC are legit options for Giannis. Houston maybe. I think Chicago is very much in play!

Also, what if Jokic loses in the first round. It doesn't look too good for Denver either. Again, I believe Chicago would be in play.

BTW, who would you rather have: Giannis or Jokic?

AA

I’ll take either if it doesn’t result in a team that’s equal to the Nuggets or Bucks. TBH , I don’t see a trade that can make that happen, and I don’t entirely have enough faith in Coby/Giddey/Matas (if all 3 were to stay somehow) to mortgage out 6+ FRPs.

[Am2626]

Leave me Matas alone!
Trade anyone else, I dont care!

Even Giddey and White for Giannis and picks and s**t, I just want Matas to remain a Bull!

Also dont want Trae Young nowhere near Bulls in any scenario!

If the Bulls can get Giannis everyone on this Bulls team including Matas is trade able. It’s easy to overvalue your own players but Giannis is a generational player. You don’t keep a young prospect at the expense of not getting someone like Gainnis unless your prospect is a LeBron or Wemby talent which Matas is not.

[Infinity2152]

Leave me Matas alone!
Trade anyone else, I dont care!

Even Giddey and White for Giannis and picks and s**t, I just want Matas to remain a Bull!

Also dont want Trae Young nowhere near Bulls in any scenario!

If the Bulls can get Giannis everyone on this Bulls team including Matas is trade able. It’s easy to overvalue your own players but Giannis is a generational player. You don’t keep a young prospect at the expense of not getting someone like Gainnis unless your prospect is a LeBron or Wemby talent which Matas is not.

Would imagine they would want Giddey before Matas anyway. Seems most here place more value on Matas than Giddey. Highly doubt that's the league opinion, Giddey looks like a 23 yr old walking 20pt triple double. Something like what they'd be losing, except better shooter/passer, worse athlete/defender. If it costs Giddey and/or Matas, so be it. How hard is it to put a team around Giannis if Pat William at $18 mill is your only other big contract?

These talks that we don't have enough to make a serious offer, going to be interesting to see if the best player they get back in a non-Bulls trade is better than Giddey over the next 3-4 years. Or even Coby White or Matas. Let alone all three, or some combo of two plus picks.

[sco]

Leave me Matas alone!
Trade anyone else, I dont care!

Even Giddey and White for Giannis and picks and s**t, I just want Matas to remain a Bull!

Also dont want Trae Young nowhere near Bulls in any scenario!

If the Bulls can get Giannis everyone on this Bulls team including Matas is trade able. It’s easy to overvalue your own players but Giannis is a generational player. You don’t keep a young prospect at the expense of not getting someone like Gainnis unless your prospect is a LeBron or Wemby talent which Matas is not.

Would imagine they would want Giddey before Matas anyway. Seems most here place more value on Matas than Giddey. Highly doubt that's the league opinion, Giddey looks like a 23 yr old walking 20pt triple double. Something like what they'd be losing, except better shooter/passer, worse athlete/defender. If it costs Giddey and/or Matas, so be it. How hard is it to put a team around Giannis if Pat William at $18 mill is your only other big contract?

These talks that we don't have enough to make a serious offer, going to be interesting to see if the best player they get back in a non-Bulls trade is better than Giddey over the next 3-4 years. Or even Coby White or Matas. Let alone all three, or some combo of two plus picks.

Giddey is a UFA, so including him in the package would be hard.

[Infinity2152]

If the Bulls can get Giannis everyone on this Bulls team including Matas is trade able. It’s easy to overvalue your own players but Giannis is a generational player. You don’t keep a young prospect at the expense of not getting someone like Gainnis unless your prospect is a LeBron or Wemby talent which Matas is not.

Would imagine they would want Giddey before Matas anyway. Seems most here place more value on Matas than Giddey. Highly doubt that's the league opinion, Giddey looks like a 23 yr old walking 20pt triple double. Something like what they'd be losing, except better shooter/passer, worse athlete/defender. If it costs Giddey and/or Matas, so be it. How hard is it to put a team around Giannis if Pat William at $18 mill is your only other big contract?

These talks that we don't have enough to make a serious offer, going to be interesting to see if the best player they get back in a non-Bulls trade is better than Giddey over the next 3-4 years. Or even Coby White or Matas. Let alone all three, or some combo of two plus picks.

Giddey is a UFA, so including him in the package would be hard.

Sign him first? Giannis trade not likely to happen immediately. Or S&T. Don't know if he can be included like that, I think so.

Would probably open with Coby White, Vucevic, either Pat Will or Collins, whichever they prefer), 2026 first, 2028 first, 2030 first

Would go up to S&T Giddey, Vucevic, Matas or Coby (preferably Coby), filler, 2026 first, 2028 first, 2030 first

Second scenario, we lose Giddey plus Matas or Coby. If it's Coby that's included, that's a big upcoming contract we don't have to pay. Re-sign Tre Jones.

We're left with:

Ball/Jones/Carter
Huerter/Ayo/Terry
Matas/Phillips/Williams
Giannis/Williams
Smith/Collins
Plus 2025 draft rookie (hopefully starter level by summer 2026, even better if mid-season)

Next summer, Huerter and Colins fall off, Giannis doesn't have to wait long to add another star. Giannis and Pat are the only big contracts.

[StephenAA]

Yeah, it’s cute dreaming up the Bulls scenario, but fact is there are many teams who have way more picks than us, have a better team, and have enough salaries/talent to make the trade and not ruin their main rotation. Spurs, Thunder and Rockets, without even giving it a second of thought. To make matters worse, there’s a strong chance all 3 of these teams have better picks than us in this summer’s draft.

I think this Dame injury sucks for whatever long-shot chance I thought Chicago had (of getting Greek Freak). If Bucks held onto relevance, Giannis might’ve made it to unrestricted free agency, but I don’t see them standing pat for 2y with Dame good as done. Their window is shut. So if they begin the bidding, the only remote chance Chicago has of making a deal is AK agreeing to mortgage a decade of unprotected picks, Bucks knowing that AK’s gonna F it all up and give Milwaukee a fat pension package.

*
I think we're forgetting one very important point: Giannis has some 'say' in to where he goes! Not completely, but some!
You just don't trade a superstar anywhere just to get what you want. How you treat Giannis matters! I just don't think SA and OKC are legit options for Giannis. Houston maybe. I think Chicago is very much in play!

Also, what if Jokic loses in the first round. It doesn't look too good for Denver either. Again, I believe Chicago would be in play.

BTW, who would you rather have: Giannis or Jokic?

AA

I’ll take either if it doesn’t result in a team that’s equal to the Nuggets or Bucks. TBH , I don’t see a trade that can make that happen, and I don’t entirely have enough faith in Coby/Giddey/Matas (if all 3 were to stay somehow) to mortgage out 6+ FRPs.

*
I agree, which is why you keep Giddey, Coby and Matas. I believe Giddey and Matas will be all-stars some day.
Vuc, Williams and anyone else to make the numbers work, plus 3 frp, 3 pick swaps and PTL pick.
I'd be ecstatic if we could pull that off...

AA

[Infinity2152]

*
I think we're forgetting one very important point: Giannis has some 'say' in to where he goes! Not completely, but some!
You just don't trade a superstar anywhere just to get what you want. How you treat Giannis matters! I just don't think SA and OKC are legit options for Giannis. Houston maybe. I think Chicago is very much in play!

Also, what if Jokic loses in the first round. It doesn't look too good for Denver either. Again, I believe Chicago would be in play.

BTW, who would you rather have: Giannis or Jokic?

AA

I’ll take either if it doesn’t result in a team that’s equal to the Nuggets or Bucks. TBH , I don’t see a trade that can make that happen, and I don’t entirely have enough faith in Coby/Giddey/Matas (if all 3 were to stay somehow) to mortgage out 6+ FRPs.

*
I agree, which is why you keep Giddey, Coby and Matas. I believe Giddey and Matas will be all-stars some day.
Vuc, Williams and anyone else to make the numbers work, plus 3 frp, 3 pick swaps and PTL pick.
I'd be ecstatic if we could pull that off...

AA

And I thought I was optimistic, lmao!! You really think we can get Giannis without giving them ANY good players? Expiring Vucevic, negative Pat Will contract, and less picks than the Knicks gave up to get Mikal Bridges? AK pulls that off, he clearly has dirt on the Bucks GM and the league investigates for collusion.

If the choice is Giannis and one of the three still here over the next 5-6 years, vs the three of them for the next 5-6 years, two can go. Right now. Coby might well not be here anyway and could get $40 mill next summer, of course you include him if you need to.

Watching Giannis interview after the game, want him even more. Hell of a player, hell of a guy.

[MrSparkle]

Here's a last-offer (after AK negotiates down, as best he can ) that might swing Giannis:

Matas, Collins, Smith, Williams, Carter, #12, 27/29/31 FRPs unprotected, 26/28 swaps.

So basically 6 of Bulls' FRPs and Matas. Matas must be included for Milwaukee to listen. Would be lucky to dump Williams- who knows, maybe that wouldn't fly. Although in Milwaukee's rebuild situation, Patrick is a low-risk, decent gamble.

I think AK (the crazy) would try to keep Vuc, and Billy may lobby this as well (seeing as Jalen and Zach totaled less than 10 minutes in the play-in).

You're not crying about losing those rotation players, but Matas and 6 years of picks/swaps would absolutely hurt. I don't see Coby/Giddey/Giannis/Vuc/Lonzo/Tre/Huerter/Ayo/Terry/Phillips/THT being a good enough roster to win the East (Cavs, Celtics), and you don't have any picks or cap-space for upgrades. There's a good chance #12, 26 swap, 27 unprotected aren't a big deal... But 1 injury changes everything.

I just don't see any less getting Milwaukee to accept. In fact, I think they'd still reject this offer, try to get Patrick out and Huerter or Lonzo in for the cap relief. For me, the deal hinges on how special Matas looks. He looks like a solid star prospect, even though he can just as easily become an average starter. But if this turns into the Shai/LAC trade, then AK completes his miserable regime to a T.

Now if the Bulls miraculously win a top-4 pick, that becomes a stronger trade chip, and maybe you can keep Matas out the deal. But come on now... It would be a miracle to win that pick. If it's Flagg or Harper, you have to keep them and build. But 3-4 would be trade-able if not far-fetched to win. That play-in run was so woRth it.

But here would be the roster after re-signing Josh & Tre, and picking up someone with MLE (let's say Brook Lopez):

Lonzo Tre
Coby Huerter
Giddey Ayo Terry
Giannis Phillips THT
Vuc Brook

You have some decent guard security, although as this season showed, 5 PG options quickly turn into 1 if you're the Bulls. In an ideal world Lonzo has one decently healthy season into playoffs (60+ games), but that's a long-shot. Vuc remains the worst big-min. defensive C in the league, although it'd be interesting to see if Giannis hides that successfully. AFAIC , this depth chart is way too short of guarantees (health, development: ceiling/floor). Lonzo makes that starting-5 look much better than it is, and him going down is a safe bet.

[jnrjr79]

Here's a last-offer (after AK negotiates down) that might swing Giannis:

Matas, Collins, Smith, Williams, Carter, #12, 27/29/31 FRPs unprotected, 26/28 swaps.

So basically 6 of Bulls' FRPs and Matas. Matas must be included for Milwaukee to listen. Would be lucky to dump Williams- who knows, maybe that wouldn't fly. Although in Milwaukee's rebuild situation, Patrick is a low-risk, decent gamble.

I think AK (the crazy) would try to keep Vuc, and Billy may lobby this as well (seeing as Jalen and Zach totaled less than 10 minutes in the play-in).

You're not crying about losing those rotation players, but Matas and 6 years of picks/swaps would absolutely hurt. I don't see Coby/Giddey/Giannis/Vuc/Lonzo/Tre/Huerter/Ayo/Terry/Phillips/THT being a good enough roster to win the East (Cavs, Celtics), and you don't have any picks or cap-space for upgrades. There's a good chance #12, 26 swap, 27 unprotected aren't a big deal... But 1 injury changes everything.

I just don't see any less getting Milwaukee to accept. In fact, I think they'd still reject this offer, try to get Patrick out and Huerter or Lonzo in for the cap relief. For me, the deal hinges on how special Matas looks. He looks like a solid star prospect, even though he can just as easily become an average starter. But if this turns into the Shai/LAC trade, then AK completes his miserable regime to a T.

Now if the Bulls miraculously win a top-4 pick, that becomes a stronger trade chip, and maybe you can keep Matas out the deal. But come on now... It would be a miracle to win that pick. If it's Flagg or Harper, you have to keep them and build. But 3-4 would be trade-able if not far-fetched to win. That play-in run was so woRth it.

I agree with you that this is probably roughly what the Bulls would need to offer to swing a deal for Giannis, and they still could very well get beat out by a team that has picks to trade that project to be better than the Bulls'.

I'd certainly offer Patrick. A team on a long-term rebuild is the right kind of team to be patient for his development. But if they don't want him and prefer expirings instead, fine by me.

If this is a draft night trade, my understanding is the Bulls could trade the rights to whoever they draft for Milwaukee and then trade away their '26 first, rather than doing it as a swap, so you might be able to offer the Bucks more immediacy by trading 26, 28, and 30 and doing swaps in the intervening years.

If you do this while retaining Giddey and Coby, I imagine that'll pretty much eat up your cap, and you're going to be needing to add any other significant pieces via the MLE. You're definitely going to need to add some perimeter defense and can hopefully add a bit more shooting.

I think that team is probably better than the current Bucks, but still not at a Cavs/Celtics level.

[sco]

Here's a last-offer (after AK negotiates down) that might swing Giannis:

Matas, Collins, Smith, Williams, Carter, #12, 27/29/31 FRPs unprotected, 26/28 swaps.

So basically 6 of Bulls' FRPs and Matas. Matas must be included for Milwaukee to listen. Would be lucky to dump Williams- who knows, maybe that wouldn't fly. Although in Milwaukee's rebuild situation, Patrick is a low-risk, decent gamble.

I think AK (the crazy) would try to keep Vuc, and Billy may lobby this as well (seeing as Jalen and Zach totaled less than 10 minutes in the play-in).

You're not crying about losing those rotation players, but Matas and 6 years of picks/swaps would absolutely hurt. I don't see Coby/Giddey/Giannis/Vuc/Lonzo/Tre/Huerter/Ayo/Terry/Phillips/THT being a good enough roster to win the East (Cavs, Celtics), and you don't have any picks or cap-space for upgrades. There's a good chance #12, 26 swap, 27 unprotected aren't a big deal... But 1 injury changes everything.

I just don't see any less getting Milwaukee to accept. In fact, I think they'd still reject this offer, try to get Patrick out and Huerter or Lonzo in for the cap relief. For me, the deal hinges on how special Matas looks. He looks like a solid star prospect, even though he can just as easily become an average starter. But if this turns into the Shai/LAC trade, then AK completes his miserable regime to a T.

Now if the Bulls miraculously win a top-4 pick, that becomes a stronger trade chip, and maybe you can keep Matas out the deal. But come on now... It would be a miracle to win that pick. If it's Flagg or Harper, you have to keep them and build. But 3-4 would be trade-able if not far-fetched to win. That play-in run was so woRth it.

I agree with you that this is probably roughly what the Bulls would need to offer to swing a deal for Giannis, and they still could very well get beat out by a team that has picks to trade that project to be better than the Bulls'.

I'd certainly offer Patrick. A team on a long-term rebuild is the right kind of team to be patient for his development. But if they don't want him and prefer expirings instead, fine by me.

If this is a draft night trade, my understanding is the Bulls could trade the rights to whoever they draft for Milwaukee and then trade away their '26 first, rather than doing it as a swap, so you might be able to offer the Bucks more immediacy by trading 26, 28, and 30 and doing swaps in the intervening years.

If you do this while retaining Giddey and Coby, I imagine that'll pretty much eat up your cap, and you're going to be needing to add any other significant pieces via the MLE. You're definitely going to need to add some perimeter defense and can hopefully add a bit more shooting.

I think that team is probably better than the current Bucks, but still not at a Cavs/Celtics level.

I find myself wondering if we should try to include Giddey via S&T (since this is all theoretical) than Matas. I see Matas as a better fit with Giannis than Giddey, but Giddey still may be good enough to entice MIL.

[jnrjr79]

Here's a last-offer (after AK negotiates down) that might swing Giannis:

Matas, Collins, Smith, Williams, Carter, #12, 27/29/31 FRPs unprotected, 26/28 swaps.

So basically 6 of Bulls' FRPs and Matas. Matas must be included for Milwaukee to listen. Would be lucky to dump Williams- who knows, maybe that wouldn't fly. Although in Milwaukee's rebuild situation, Patrick is a low-risk, decent gamble.

I think AK (the crazy) would try to keep Vuc, and Billy may lobby this as well (seeing as Jalen and Zach totaled less than 10 minutes in the play-in).

You're not crying about losing those rotation players, but Matas and 6 years of picks/swaps would absolutely hurt. I don't see Coby/Giddey/Giannis/Vuc/Lonzo/Tre/Huerter/Ayo/Terry/Phillips/THT being a good enough roster to win the East (Cavs, Celtics), and you don't have any picks or cap-space for upgrades. There's a good chance #12, 26 swap, 27 unprotected aren't a big deal... But 1 injury changes everything.

I just don't see any less getting Milwaukee to accept. In fact, I think they'd still reject this offer, try to get Patrick out and Huerter or Lonzo in for the cap relief. For me, the deal hinges on how special Matas looks. He looks like a solid star prospect, even though he can just as easily become an average starter. But if this turns into the Shai/LAC trade, then AK completes his miserable regime to a T.

Now if the Bulls miraculously win a top-4 pick, that becomes a stronger trade chip, and maybe you can keep Matas out the deal. But come on now... It would be a miracle to win that pick. If it's Flagg or Harper, you have to keep them and build. But 3-4 would be trade-able if not far-fetched to win. That play-in run was so woRth it.

I agree with you that this is probably roughly what the Bulls would need to offer to swing a deal for Giannis, and they still could very well get beat out by a team that has picks to trade that project to be better than the Bulls'.

I'd certainly offer Patrick. A team on a long-term rebuild is the right kind of team to be patient for his development. But if they don't want him and prefer expirings instead, fine by me.

If this is a draft night trade, my understanding is the Bulls could trade the rights to whoever they draft for Milwaukee and then trade away their '26 first, rather than doing it as a swap, so you might be able to offer the Bucks more immediacy by trading 26, 28, and 30 and doing swaps in the intervening years.

If you do this while retaining Giddey and Coby, I imagine that'll pretty much eat up your cap, and you're going to be needing to add any other significant pieces via the MLE. You're definitely going to need to add some perimeter defense and can hopefully add a bit more shooting.

I think that team is probably better than the current Bucks, but still not at a Cavs/Celtics level.

I find myself wondering if we should try to include Giddey via S&T (since this is all theoretical) than Matas. I see Matas as a better fit with Giannis than Giddey, but Giddey still may be good enough to entice MIL.

I can't seem to find whether you can aggregate salaries with an outbound sign-and-traded player under the new CBA, but to the extent you can, I would also prefer to include Giddey over Matas. So if the Bucks preferred that, then great.

EDIT: one other note - the Bulls do have the Portland pick they can throw in the mix here, and I assume they'd happily do so.

[Rose2Boozer]

The Bulls send Zach Collins, 2025 2nd round pick, 2026 1st round pick(Blazers) and 2027 unprotected 1st round pick to the Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr.

*** If Blazers 1st doesn't convey, 2029 1st round pick swap

[jnrjr79]

The Bulls send Zach Collins, 2025 2nd round pick, 2026 1st round pick(Blazers) and 2027 unprotected 1st round pick to the Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr.

*** If Blazers 1st doesn't convey, 2029 1st round pick swap

The Blazers pick does convey no matter what, eventually. There are three more seasons left where it could become a first-rounder (if the Blazers make the playoffs, since it's lottery-protected). It'll be a 2nd in 2028 if not otherwise conveyed. I wasn't sure if you were proposing here that the 2028 2nd would revert to the Bulls and the 2029 swap would be offered in lieu of it or what.

[Dan Z]

I agree with you that this is probably roughly what the Bulls would need to offer to swing a deal for Giannis, and they still could very well get beat out by a team that has picks to trade that project to be better than the Bulls'.

I'd certainly offer Patrick. A team on a long-term rebuild is the right kind of team to be patient for his development. But if they don't want him and prefer expirings instead, fine by me.

If this is a draft night trade, my understanding is the Bulls could trade the rights to whoever they draft for Milwaukee and then trade away their '26 first, rather than doing it as a swap, so you might be able to offer the Bucks more immediacy by trading 26, 28, and 30 and doing swaps in the intervening years.

If you do this while retaining Giddey and Coby, I imagine that'll pretty much eat up your cap, and you're going to be needing to add any other significant pieces via the MLE. You're definitely going to need to add some perimeter defense and can hopefully add a bit more shooting.

I think that team is probably better than the current Bucks, but still not at a Cavs/Celtics level.

I find myself wondering if we should try to include Giddey via S&T (since this is all theoretical) than Matas. I see Matas as a better fit with Giannis than Giddey, but Giddey still may be good enough to entice MIL.

I can't seem to find whether you can aggregate salaries with an outbound sign-and-traded player under the new CBA, but to the extent you can, I would also prefer to include Giddey over Matas. So if the Bucks preferred that, then great.

EDIT: one other note - the Bulls do have the Portland pick they can throw in the mix here, and I assume they'd happily do so.

I don't think any of it would be enough for the Bucks to agree to a deal. Okay...the Bucks say yes (to the deal that includes Matas and not Giddey) and they're terrible next year (New Orleans owns a pick swap with them for 2026. Then owns their 2027 outright). The Bulls improve with Giannis....let's say its not even a huge improvement. Right now the Bulls pick is #12 so next year it's....#15 or so?

The Bucks traded Giannis for the #12 in 2025, #15 in 2026, future picks/swaps and Matas as the main pieces...?

[Dan Z]

The Bulls send Zach Collins, 2025 2nd round pick, 2026 1st round pick(Blazers) and 2027 unprotected 1st round pick to the Grizzlies for Jaren Jackson Jr.

*** If Blazers 1st doesn't convey, 2029 1st round pick swap

The Blazers pick does convey no matter what, eventually. There are three more seasons left where it could become a first-rounder (if the Blazers make the playoffs, since it's lottery-protected). It'll be a 2nd in 2028 if not otherwise conveyed. I wasn't sure if you were proposing here that the 2028 2nd would revert to the Bulls and the 2029 swap would be offered in lieu of it or what.

Why would Memphis make that deal? Is it a money saving issue?

JJJ is a 25 year old who has been DPOY and a 2 time all star.

[jnrjr79]

I find myself wondering if we should try to include Giddey via S&T (since this is all theoretical) than Matas. I see Matas as a better fit with Giannis than Giddey, but Giddey still may be good enough to entice MIL.

I can't seem to find whether you can aggregate salaries with an outbound sign-and-traded player under the new CBA, but to the extent you can, I would also prefer to include Giddey over Matas. So if the Bucks preferred that, then great.

EDIT: one other note - the Bulls do have the Portland pick they can throw in the mix here, and I assume they'd happily do so.

I don't think any of it would be enough for the Bucks to agree to a deal. Okay...the Bucks say yes (to the deal that includes Matas and not Giddey) and they're terrible next year (New Orleans owns a pick swap with them for 2026. Then owns their 2027 outright). The Bulls improve with Giannis....let's say its not even a huge improvement. Right now the Bulls pick is #12 so next year it's....#15 or so?

The Bucks traded Giannis for the #12 in 2025, #15 in 2026, future picks/swaps and Matas as the main pieces...?

I guess I don't really think about it in terms of what is "enough" for the Bucks in isolation. The Bucks also can't worry about whether they will be bad and that means the Pellies get a better pick. It doesn't matter - that pick is gone anyway. What the Bucks need to focus on is how the heck to build a decent team in a post-Giannis world, which will be painful as things currently stand.

I agree with you insofar as I very much doubt the Bulls will end up making the best offer the Bucks will get. There are other teams that would project to be interested in Giannis that will have better draft assets (because they are inbound from other teams) than what the Bulls can offer.

The Bulls could probably get closer if they were willing to offer both Giddey and Matas, but I don't really see the point in that. Coby + Giannis + all your future picks encumbered is going to put the Bulls in a very tough position to add the necessary pieces.

What we really need to be rooting for now is jumping into the top 4 in the draft. If the Bulls were able to do that, all of a sudden what they can offer Milwaukee looks a lot more compelling.

[MrSparkle]

I find myself wondering if we should try to include Giddey via S&T (since this is all theoretical) than Matas. I see Matas as a better fit with Giannis than Giddey, but Giddey still may be good enough to entice MIL.

I can't seem to find whether you can aggregate salaries with an outbound sign-and-traded player under the new CBA, but to the extent you can, I would also prefer to include Giddey over Matas. So if the Bucks preferred that, then great.

EDIT: one other note - the Bulls do have the Portland pick they can throw in the mix here, and I assume they'd happily do so.

I don't think any of it would be enough for the Bucks to agree to a deal. Okay...the Bucks say yes (to the deal that includes Matas and not Giddey) and they're terrible next year (New Orleans owns a pick swap with them for 2026. Then owns their 2027 outright). The Bulls improve with Giannis....let's say its not even a huge improvement. Right now the Bulls pick is #12 so next year it's....#15 or so?

The Bucks traded Giannis for the #12 in 2025, #15 in 2026, future picks/swaps and Matas as the main pieces...?

The longevity of 2026-2031 unprotected FRPs/swaps and Matas’ potential are on par with any type of fair package for a star who wants out… but I agree, Giannis is a perennial MVP. You could argue he is the most impactful player in the NBA, and requires an unprecedented return (Luka trade being a bizarre anomaly).

Comparing Jokic, Luka’s, Shai’s or Curry’s help to his since Middleton’s injuries began, compounded by Jrue’s trade, he’s been by far the least helped star in the league. Truth is he immediately makes your defense pretty strong, and can score against double-teams, so he’s as plug-n-play as it gets.

IMO Spurs and Rockets could offer the best packages…. OKC too, but I think they stand pat with Chet.

Castle/Vassell/Sochan/6+FRPs

Amen/Jabari/Reed/Eason/6+FRPs

Those are attractive returns, with the number of top-10 prospects.

[Infinity2152]

Of the three trade pieces, who do you think has more value: Giddey, Matas, or Coby? League wise, outside Bulls fan forums.

Giddey: 23 yr old 20pt triple double. The max he can get 5yrs/$150 is probably a steal compared to what he would get if he was eligible for more probably $40 mill to max PER 18.1, VORP 2.7

Matas: 20 yr old rookie averaged 8.6 pts, 3.5 rbs, 1 asst, .9 blocks, .4 steals in 19 minutes Didn't get a ton of minutes to start the season, affects his raw numbers but not PER or VORP, I don't think. 3 cheap years left. PER 12.5, VORP-.2

Coby: 25 yr old guard, 1 cheap contract year left. 20.4 pts, 4.5 assts, 3.7 rbs in 33 minutes PER 15.5, VORP .7 Could get $40 mill/yr AAV in 2026

For a team like the Bucks, where there's nothing to gain losing over the next few years, would probably place higher value on younger players ready to start now. We all love Matas, but realistically Coby and definitely Giddey should be worth more in trade, based on performance so far.

I think all three should have very good value, especially Giddey. Don't agree a lot of teams could beat our best offer without killing their teams, unless the Bucks value picks over everything else. And we have a good number of picks.

Bucks do have a first 2026, 2027, 2028, 2030, 2031. They're only missing 2029 and those pick swaps all those other years are with Pelicans, could be just as bad or worse than theirs anyway. They could legit both be lottery teams each year.